Understanding the human body is a team effort. That's where the Yachtel group comes in.

Researchers at Yachtolt have been delving into the secrets of probiotics for 90 years.

Yacold also partners with nature portfolio to advance gut microbiome science through the global grants for gut health, an investigator-led research program.

To learn more about Yachtolt, visit yawcult.co.

.j.p. That's y-A-K-U-L-T.C-O.J-P. When it comes to a guide for your gut, count on Yacult.

This is Scientific Americans' 60-second science. I'm Lee Billings. You got a minute?

Outer space may look mostly empty, but it's actually packed with cosmic radiation,

gamma rays and charged particles produced by exploding stars, black holes, and other violent

astrophysical phenomena. Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field keeps us safe from the worst of this steady

barrage of some atomic bullets. But cosmic radiation would be a constant concern for astronauts on

lengthy interplanetary voyages. NASA and other space agencies have known for decades that this

radiation can cause cancer and other cell damage. However, possible effects on mental functioning

have been difficult to test. But a new study shows that, in mice at least, cosmic radiation

likely causes cognitive impairment. The research is in the journal's science advances. The researchers

mimicked cosmic radiation exposure by briefly bombarding the brains of lab mice with high-energy particles.

Six weeks later, the mice scored poorly on tests of learning and memory. They displayed less curiosity and more confusion than an unexposed control group.

Analysis of their brains revealed inflammation and decreased numbers of dendrites, which transmit signals between

nerves. If humans are similarly susceptible, astronauts on voyages to Mars could suffer permanent

cognitive impairment that could hinder their abilities to recall information and to think on their feet.

Faster transits, new anti-radiation drugs, and better spacecraft shielding should help.

But until those solutions are developed, sending brain-damaged humans to Mars would be a dim-witted thing to do.

Thanks for the minute.

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